TRANMERE manager Micky Adams said the 2-0 defeat against York City was the worst performance to date from his players.

However he remained confident Rovers would “get through it - and get over it.”

Two goals from striker Wes Fletcher moved York out of the League Two relegation zone and above Tranmere.

Fletcher put the hosts ahead when he met Bradley Halliday's low cross at the back post on 20 minutes for his first league goal since September.

Michael Coulson then went close before Fletcher collected Coulson's pass, cut inside and fired left-footed into the far corner on 58 minutes.

Tranmere failed to create a meaningful chance as they slipped to 22nd.

The Minstermen's first victory in eight games moves them up to 20th, two points clear of the bottom two.

Adams made a couple of changes to the side which started at Newport County on Tuesday evening with on-loan Harrison McGahey making his debut in defence and Iain Hume making his first start since his return to the club.

Josh Thompson and Lee Molyneux were named on the substitutes bench.

The manager said Rovers travelling supporters deserved better from his squad.

He said: "We can't gloss over it, that's as poor as we've played.

"We never got going. There were two teams and one team wanted it.

“They came out with a bit of fire in their bellies and we should expect that. But we never got going at all.

"We picked an attacking side and thought Humey was ready for a game, but I'm disappointed with the front four.

"We never caused their back four problems, never took responsibility in the final third.

All in all it was a real poor day. The fans deserve better than that.”

"The balls up to the front two weren't good enough and we never got balls out wide to try to penetrate them from those areas.

"It certainly wasn't a pitch you could run with it on today so we needed to pass quicker. We broke their midfield lines on a couple of occasions and then for some reason turned back.

"I have to take responsibility and I will. I've got broad shoulders and I deserve all the stick that might be coming my way tonight.

"But my question to my players is are you going to accept it as well. We all need to look in the mirror.

"It hurts, but it's not fatal. We need to pick ourselves up quickly."

Adams continued: "We've given ourselves a great opportunity to push up the table by being back in the pack. That opportunity is still there for us but we need to be better.

"Our mentality to the game was wrong. They were up for it and we weren't. That's really disappointed me and given me food for thought.

"Next week we play the team that is top of the league and we need a bit of the spirit York have shown today.

"I'm too long in the tooth, I've seen it all before.

“You get periods in a season where you look like world-beaters and other occasions where it doesn't go your way and you look devoid of confidence and belief.

"Maybe that's our period now.

“But I'll tell you something, we'll get through it and we'll get over it."